Venturing is for young men and women who are 13 and have completed the eighth grade, or be 14 years of age and not yet 21. The year-round program provides positive experiences through exciting and meaningful youth-run activities that help them pursue their special interests, grow by teaching others, and develop leadership skills.

Sea Scouts is a separate program. Like the ties between Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts, there are some ties between Venturing and Sea Scouts. Sea Scouts was organized to address members' boating skills and promote knowledge of our maritime heritage. Swimming, lifesaving, first aid, Coast Guard Auxiliary Sailing and Seamanship, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation courses are taught with the ship by its officers.

August 8, 1909 – Scout camp half-held on the Training Ship Mercury (there was only room for 50 boys but it had earlier been advertised as a camp for the top 100 boys, so half camped on land then they switched half-way through), which led to the formation of Sea Scouts.

August 22, 1908 – First official Scout camp at Humshaugh, England. The Scouting movement didn't officially exist during the 1907 Brownsea Island camp -- this was the first camp attended by registered Scouts.

Each program level award is divided into four areas, Adventure, Leadership, Service, Personal Growth.

Program Level Awards (new)

Venturing Award -- Level 1: The first step in any journey is the courage to begin. At this level, the new crew member makes their commitment to join and move forward into the experience of Venturing.

Discovery Award -- Level 2: The adventure of participating with the crew unfolds, and each Venturer begins to discover his or her interests and talents. As the Discovery Award recipients develop new skills and competencies, their eyes are opened and the world expands for them.

Pathfinder Award -- Level 3: The Venturer’s capabilities and skills expand and with them come increased responsibility for defining their own way forward in life, service to others and formal planning and leadership of the crew toward its goals.

Summit Award -- Level 4: The highest award of Venturing, the Summit Award, goes to those Venturers who have matured in their personal direction, skills, and life competencies, and who have accepted the responsibility to mentor others and serve their communities in a lasting way.

Expert-level Awards

Quest Award -- Focuses on the traditions of sportsmanship and lifelong fitness.

TRUST Award -- Focuses on the principles of religion, community, and tolerance; its purpose is to provide a pathway for personal development in the forms of service and devotion to God.